Wife's 30th Birthday party last night - had House of Nobilo Sav. Blanc for the white. Crisp, refreshing, citrus and tropical fruit notes. Nice bottle for $8.99. Great to sip on the roof deck all night long. Maybe that's why my head hurts so badly today....

I tried my first ‘good’ Pinot last night. I think I might just be hooked now. It had all the flavor of a robust Cab, but lighter on the tongue. I don’t really know how to describe it, but it just seamed to be a dam tasty, and very complex wine (lots of subtle flavors that didn’t just slap the taste buds like a Cab, but I could tell they were there). The last time I tried a Pinot, I thought it was horrible and I haven’t tried one since then. I was expecting the same, but was pleasantly surprised.

Oh, it was a 2001 Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir from Waipara Canterburry, New Zealand. A friend of mine brought it over who spends a couple months every year there visiting family.

I haven't had much Pinot recently. The last one I tried tasted of bacon and smoke! Prices are pretty high, too. The Wine Spectator seems to really like a lot of the Oregon pinots. Again, $$$$$.

FWIW, a few pages back I mentioned that the Frei Bros chardonnay was a buttery/oaky style. Not the current Russian River vintage in the supers. They pulled a fast one on me - clearancing the old bottles (beautiful stuff) and bringing in massive quantities of the new stuff (decent, but unremarkable). Sorry.

Had a bottle the other day that was sooooooo good, I thought I'd share. Plus, it's time to drink it. It was a 95' William Hill Cab reserve. I can't even begin to describe it with any justice. Very smooth with not even a hint of tannins. Medium to heavy body, starting to turn slightly brown, perfect..... If you have this in your seller, better drink it this year. I think its time is here.